Grad speech
Good morning, everyone! My name is Ashley Walle, and I am honored to stand before
you today. Esteemed faculty, proud parents, and fellow graduates today is a day of
celebration.
As we stand on the threshold of our future, we are filled with a mix of emotions:
excitement, nostalgia, relief, and perhaps a touch of apprehension. Today, we celebrate
our achievements, reflect on our journey, and look forward to the boundless
possibilities that lie ahead.
Our time in high school has been remarkable, a series of challenges and triumphs that
have shaped us into who we are today. It went fast, just like our parents said it would.
Each moment has taught us resilience, perseverance, and the value of hard work.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to our teachers, who have been more than just
educators. They have been mentors, guides, and sometimes even our biggest
cheerleaders. Their dedication and passion for teaching have inspired us to strive for
excellence and to believe in our potential. A special thank you to Teacher Liliana
(Nini), Dr. Franco, and our headmistress, who have been outstanding mentors to us.
Your wisdom, support, and encouragement have been invaluable, and we are deeply
grateful.
Reflecting on our time together, I am reminded of a line from Billy Joel’s song
“Vienna”: “Slow down you crazy child, You’re so ambitious for a juvenile.” This lyric
resonates with us today, capturing the essence of our high school years—the eagerness
to grow up and achieve, but also the importance of savoring the present and cherishing
the friendships we’ve made along the way.
High school has been a time of rapid growth and forging bonds that will last a lifetime.
Our friends have been our confidants, our partners in crime, and our greatest
supporters. Together, we’ve laughed, learned, and grown. These friendships have been
a cornerstone of our high school experience, and they will continue to be a source of
strength and joy as we move forward.
So, I hope with all my heart that each one of you has cherished these precious
moments we’ve spent together. As much as I’ve looked forward to today, I’ve always
disliked endings—the last day of summer, the final chapter of a good book. But
endings are inevitable; leaves fall, and you close the book. Today is one of those days
for all of us. Today, we say goodbye.
To my fellow graduates, remember this: believe in yourselves. We overcame, and here
we stand, ready to take on the world. When you doubt your abilities, remember this
moment. You are stronger and more capable than you know. Be bold. Be courageous.
And never stop dreaming.
Let’s embrace the future with unwavering confidence, knowing we can achieve
anything we set our minds to. Appreciate this moment. Pause and look around you;
be thankful for all that you have, because a year from now, everything will be
different.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024! Here’s to our future and the incredible journey
that lies ahead.
Thank you.
